Search

I choose my blog posts carefully and there’s some battles I just don’t gallop into – like the horsemeat scandal. But, the time has come for me to comment on Burger King.

The fast-food franchise is continuing to launch its kids meal toy giveaway this month – a My Little Pony.

I’m in full support of people not having to apologise for every little thing they say and do which might cause offence (apart from Helen Flanagan – she simply doesn’t think), but there’s times when you have to change tactic to avoid rocking the boat – especially when it recently capsized.

BK was one of the first brands to get caught up in the horsemeat by pledging to switch suppliers as a precautionary measure before admitting some of its burgers had been contaminated. This made lots of people angry. Then the business got hacked on Twitter and we all had a good laugh. It worked because it gained followers.

But, is this Europe-wide promotion undoing its recovery strategy? I think so. Although there’s nothing online to say that the UK is taking part (Germany is cited on the website), it will look foolish. And to those that really take notice, I expect they’ll rip BK to pieces for its brash insensitivity.

To handle this situation, BK has two options:

1) Say nothing and take the (expected) ridicule
2) Make a joke of it and use it to their advantage

Personally, I’d vote for the latter every time. It’s a proactive opportunity to show that the business has a sense of humour and, although it’s a risk, it’s one that could come off with great results

Waitrose has been encouraging consumers to ‘horse around’ (been waiting for a good opportunity to write that) on its ‘Love Life‘ slide, which was installed at Westfield Stratford City shopping centre last weekend.

Named after the supermarket’s range of ‘good for you’ food, it offered people a fun alternative to walking down the escalators in East London.

At a time when the the UK’s obesity levels are bursting at the seams – currently one in four adults are classified as obese – it’s vital that well-known brands are seen to be doing their bit. Aside from the Government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal and latest Change4Life push, companies must help communicate that adopting a healthy lifestyle is vital to our survival.

OK. The mechanics of this PR stunt doesn’t jump out on paper but it’s a good alternative to get the message home (when accompanied by the fact that in January people are looking for a little ‘pick me up’.) Creative campaigns, to hammer home healthy eating, are key to stand out in the media and resonate with consumers. After all, no one enjoys being repeatedly told they need to move from their armchair and eat more carrots. You get my drift.

Up to 3,000 people were made aware of Waitrose’s healthy eating scheme and many more children will experience it now that plans have been made to relocate the slide to a playground in East London.

Seen other good examples of brands celebrating healthy eating recently?

Last year my client – Unilever Food Solutions – had a vibrant campaign idea to transform an ambulance into a unique ‘Ambu-lunch‘.